DLA Piper

Private Equity Entry Level Attorney (Professional Track)

DLA Piper$135K — $165K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Graduating as an entry-level attorney from law school in Spring 2027.
  • Demonstrated interest or experience in Private Equity law.
  • Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication competencies.
  • Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
  • A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset.
  • Commitment to pro bono work and community service.

Responsibilities

  • Communicate effectively with clients, partners, and colleagues.
  • Manage deadlines and produce quality deliverables efficiently.
  • Analyze and apply legal principles to complex issues.
  • Provide well-reasoned legal work products promptly.
  • Be available to ensure timely service delivery, including evenings and weekends.
  • Foster client relationships and anticipate their needs.
  • Collaborate with and mentor junior lawyers and teams.

Benefits

  • Participation in a comprehensive training and development program.
  • Reduced billable hours requirement for better work-life balance.
  • Engagement in meaningful pro bono work addressing community needs.
  • Access to hybrid work model with flexibility between in-office and remote work.
  • Opportunity to work across innovative practices and industries.
Full Job Description
Summary

DLA Piper is seeking entry-level attorneys to join our Private Equity practice in the Fall of 2027 in our Atlanta and Chicago offices. Applicants should be current third year law students with an anticipated graduation date of spring 2027. We are seeking exceptional law students with an entrepreneurial mindset, who are motivated to build their legal skills and gain insight into client needs. We value innovators and creative thinkers. If you thrive on challenge and value teamwork, we want to hear from you.

This is a non-partnership track position which will allow you to participate in a comprehensive training and development program and work on client projects across cutting-edge practices, industries and borders, while having a reduced billable hours requirement. As part of this program, you will be immediately integrated into a practice group and be part of a team. You will have the opportunity to support causes that impact our clients and better our communities through the firm's commitment to pro bono.

Responsibilities
  • These expectations include, but are not limited to, the lawyer's ability to:
  • Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with partners, lawyers, clients, staff, and third parties;
  • Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner, meeting all deadlines and expectations;
  • Analyze complex legal issues in a logical manner, applying legal principles and research to specific facts;
  • Provide timely, accurate, and well-reasoned work product;
  • Be available whenever needed to ensure timely delivery of services, including during business hours, evenings, and weekends;
  • Apply sustained and intense concentration for extended periods of time;
  • Work under pressure to meet deadlines and perform to the satisfaction of clients and colleagues;
  • Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; participating in telephonic conferences; and participating in meetings at client offices and at the Firm;
  • Travel, as required by the Firm or client, such as to client meetings, to engage in advocacy before a tribunal or government agency, or to participate in business development activities;
  • Foster relationships and anticipate clients' needs to achieve continued engagement;
  • Mentor and supervise junior lawyers and staff; and
  • Observe all Firm policies and practices, as may be in effect from time to time.


Desired Skills

In addition to the general job specifications outlined above, lawyers are expected to demonstrate a level of proficiency commensurate with their position and experience in the core competencies summarized below.
  • Professional Excellence: Oral communications, writing, analysis and strategic thinking, legal knowledge and expertise.
  • Client Impact: Solution orientation, project management, service quality and orientation. initiative and ownership.
  • Effectiveness: self-awareness, relationship building, people management, team building and inclusion.
  • Leadership: Entrepreneurship, business development, career commitment, professionalism and integrity.


Minimum Education
  • Current third year law students with an anticipated graduation date of Spring 2027


Essential Job Expectations

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:
  • Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties;
  • Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner;
  • Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product;
  • Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required;
  • Foster positive work relationships;
  • Comply with all firm policies and practices;
  • Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed;
  • Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment;
  • Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.

Physical Demands
Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment-The firm's work location requirements may be modified at the firm's discretion
  • Hybrid - Regular in-office presence with some flexibility for work-from-home


Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm's discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.

Application Process

Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email. Please include a copy of your resume, transcript, and a cover letter when applying. Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact [redacted]

Direct applicants only. No third-party submissions.

Pay Transparency

The firm's expected hiring pay for this position is $135,000 - $165,000 per year depending on the candidate's geographic market location. The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate's experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

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About DLA Piper

DLA Piper is a multinational law firm with offices in more than 40 countries. The firm was formed in 2005 by the merger of three law firms: DLA, Piper Rudnick, and Gray Cary. DLA Piper is one of the largest law firms in the world, with over 4,000 lawyers and 10,000 employees. The firm provides a wide range of legal services to clients in various industries, including banking, energy, healthcare, and technology. DLA Piper has been involved in several high-profile cases, including the representation of the estate of Michael Jackson and the defense of FIFA in the wake of the 2015 corruption scandal. In 2019, DLA Piper reported revenue of $3.11 billion.
Learn more about DLA Piper
Size
10,000 employees
Industry

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